What is the difference between a course and a program?
A course is essentially an individual class which will give you a specific set of knowledge and skills. Courses may be taken separately or as part of a program. When taken as part of a program, a course becomes part of a comprehensive education designed to help you succeed in the workplace. A program is a set of one or more specialized courses which, when added together, will give you the specific skills you will need to succeed in the workforce. The educational content of each of our programs is carefully scrutinized by an advisory board made up of industry professionals and business leaders to make sure you will be learning the skills businesses want their employees to have. Programs also often prepare you for state or industry licensure exams.

What is the difference between open-entry/open-exit and defined courses?
Most programs and courses at the Salt Lake • Tooele Applied Technology College are offered in an open-entry/open-exit environment. Open-entry means you can start most classes any Monday. You do not have to wait for the beginning of a semester. You can then set your own schedule and work at your own pace. Open-exit means that you are finished when you have demonstrated mastery of the required competencies for a course or program.

Defined courses and programs have a set start date and end date, fixed class times, and a flat tuition fee. Enrollment in defined courses and programs is offered on a first-come basis until the class is full.

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Do I receive anything when I complete my program?
As a Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) campus, SLTATC is responsible for providing applied technology education that results in appropriate licensing, certification, or skill training to qualify students for specific employment in business and industry. SLTATC offers a broad range of long-term and short-term certificate training as well as the Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) degree in Medical Assisting. There are also several other programs and customized employee training under the Utah Custom Fit program.

In order for students to present their training to potential employers, the SLTATC provides certificates listing the competencies achieved upon completion of a program. Certificates for individual courses can also be issued upon student request. AAT degrees are issued from the state office.

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What types of certifications can I receive from SLTATC training?
Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) Degree
The AAT Degree is competency-based and offered on an open- entry/open-exit basis. The average time to complete the AAT Degree should fall within a range of 1890 to 2070 clock hours. Like the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree, the AAT Degree is designed to prepare students for direct entry into the workforce.

The curriculum for the AAT degree is standardized across all campuses of the Utah College of Applied Technology offering the degree. The award is conferred by the Utah College of Applied Technology.

Certificates of Completion
A coherent sequence of courses 900 clock hours or greater. The curriculum for certificates of completion is standardized across all campuses of the Utah College of Applied Technology offering the certificate. The certificate is awarded by the Utah College of Applied Technology.

Certificate of Proficiency
A certificate that validates that a set of competencies or a number of courses designed to prepare a student for employment or to provide skill upgrade has been completed. The certificate is awarded by the SLTATC.

Certificate of Skill Competence
A certificate that validates that a single course has been completed (such as a computer course, a Photoshop course, etc.). The certificate is awarded by the SLTATC.

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Will my credits transfer to another educational institution?
High school students who work through their high school counselors may receive high school credit upon successful completion of most ATC courses. The SLTATC does not issue college credits. All SLTATC training programs are competency based and designed to move students into the workplace. Therefore, SLTATC programs do not generally transfer to traditional colleges and universities. However, many SLTATC programs prepare students to pass industry certifications. Some colleges and universities accept these industry certifications towards college credit.

However, the SLTATC has obtained written agreements for several programs and courses that allow students to obtain additional college credit for their completed work. These formal articulation agreements with Salt Lake Community College allow for competencies to be transferred to and from the SLTATC for specific approved courses and programs in the Automotive Technician programs, the Heavy-Duty Diesel Technician program, and the Information Technology programs. Click here to learn more about the specific agreements and the transferability of individual courses and programs.

How much will the SLTATC program cost?
High school students enrolled in public high schools do not pay tuition; however, the majority of courses require students to pay applicable fees. Fees may include the cost of: (a) study guides and books, (b) consumable supplies, (c) specialized clothing, or (d) equipment and tools. ATC fees will be waived for students who are on a fee waiver at their home high school. Some programs have equipment, books, clothing, etc. available for checkout for those students on fee waivers.

Adults who attend the SLTATC pay tuition based on the number of hours for which they are registered each month. Tuition is generally $1.25 per hour. Most students average between $51 to $138 dollars a month in tuition. Adult students also pay all applicable fees.

The information pages on individual programs found under Programs also provide an estimate of total costs of each program.

Why is the cost so low?
As a campus of the Utah College of Applied Technology, the Salt Lake • Tooele Applied Technology College is mandated by the Legislature to provide low-cost training to adults and no-cost training to high school students.

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If you have a question that isn’t answered above, please don’t hesitate to contact Student Services at 493-8700 or [email protected]